At the end of October 2025, I had the honour of hosting the prestigious Standard Chartered Global Families Network Forum, a two-day event in Dubai that brought together distinguished global families, private wealth leaders, and next-generation entrepreneurs from across continents. Under the theme “Shifting Paradigms,” the forum explored the evolving dynamics of leadership, resilience, and intergenerational legacy in a rapidly transforming world. Over the course of two days, the Forum welcomed more than 200 participants, including 90 influential families from Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia. It served as a strategic dialogue platform designed by Standard Chartered Global Private Bank to deepen meaningful connections between generations of wealth creators and leaders shaping the global economy.
A Global Dialogue on Wealth, Governance, and Purpose
The Forum’s focus was on fostering a dialogue between visionaries, policymakers, and innovators, aimed at enhancing collaboration across generations and economies. As Raymond Ang, Global Head of Private Bank and Affluent Clients at Standard Chartered, noted, “Managing family wealth is becoming increasingly complex amidst today’s shifting paradigms. Our flagship Global Families Network Forum provides ultra-high-net-worth families with a trusted space to connect, share, and learn.”
As the host and moderator, I had the privilege of guiding conversations with global leaders and influential thinkers, including Secretary John Kerry, U.S. Special Presidential Envoy for Climate, Bill Winters, Group Chief Executive of Standard Chartered, and a distinguished group of policymakers, business innovators, and family office leaders. The discussions transcended traditional views of wealth and governance, focusing instead on purpose-driven leadership, sustainability, and the human dimensions of legacy.
Each dialogue revealed how the world’s most enduring families and enterprises are rethinking their roles amid technological disruption, climate responsibility, and shifting social expectations. The Forum’s sessions underscored a vital insight: true legacy lies not only in the tangible assets we build, but also in the wisdom, values, and vision we pass forward.
The Next Generation: A Global Conversation
One of the Forum’s most powerful components was the Next Gen Programme, an initiative dedicated to empowering young successors through immersive learning, mentorship, and cross-border collaboration. Bringing together rising leaders from more than 20 countries, this track reflected the growing importance of preparing the next generation to lead with innovation, empathy, and a global perspective.
Throughout the programme, conversations highlighted the changing expectations of emerging leaders, individuals who seek not only to preserve wealth but also to create measurable impact through entrepreneurship, sustainability, and social innovation.
Reflections on Leadership and Legacy
Hosting this event reaffirmed my belief that the future of leadership is increasingly collaborative, intergenerational, and globally interconnected. The exchange of insights between established and emerging voices reminded us all that resilience and reinvention are not opposing forces, they are complementary drivers of meaningful progress.
Dubai’s role as a bridge between regions added a fitting backdrop to this global dialogue. The city’s spirit of innovation, inclusion, and forward vision mirrors the very essence of what the Forum represents: the convergence of tradition and transformation.
The Global Families Network Forum 2025 was not only a space for dialogue, but a reflection of how global families can redefine success through shared purpose and collective wisdom. It was a privilege to moderate such meaningful discussions and to witness firsthand the power of connection, continuity, and leadership across generations.
As I continue speaking, hosting global forums, and coaching executives in leadership communication, I remain committed to advancing conversations that bridge cultures, generations, and disciplines, shaping a future of leadership grounded in purpose, responsibility, and enduring resilience.
Full press release: https://www.sc.com/en/press-release/standard-chartered-global-private-bank-expands-flagship-global-families-network-forum-with-next-gen-programme/